Tufting machine



March 17, 1942. J w, DROLL 2,276,831

TUFTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ejsep/ Wfllo/llued Week 493 zaaqzza March 17, 1942. J. w. DROLL TUFTINQ MACHINE FiledSept. 13; 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 17, 1942. J. w. DROLL TUFTINGMACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 llli 1 fl/l/ wl -il r hIIIIIIIIIII Ill March 17, 1942. J, w, DROLL TUFTING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 13, 1937 Patented Mar. 17, 1942 TUFTINGMACHINE Joseph W. Droll, Chicago, Ill., assignor to J. W. Droll Company,Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application September 13, 1937,Serial No. 163,573

8 Claims.

The invention relates to tufting machines of the type in which a pair ofcompressor-frames are mounted to swing vertically for convenience of theoperator in sewing or tying the tufts in the mattress.

The object of the invention is to provide a mattress-tufter of this typein which both of the frames are shifted simultaneously and equidistantlyfrom the axis around which they swing so that in varying the spacingbetween them to compress or release a mattress the balanced relation ofthe frames with respect to the axis will be maintained. This makes itpossible to maintain the balance of the structure so it will swingeasily when mattresses of different thicknesses are compressed.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detail description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which arehereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at theconclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan of a machine embodying the invention.Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3is a section through the coupling-sleeve for driving the gearing forshifting the frame, in their operative position. Fig. 4 is a section online 44 of Fig. 2, the frames being shown in position for compressing amattress. Fig. 5 is a similar view illustrating the frames in positionto receive the mattress. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the powermechanismfor driving the gearing for shifting the compressor-frames. Fig. 7 is asection on line 1-1 of Fig. 1 showing the mechanism for automaticallystopping said gearing within predetermined limits. Fig. 8 is a sectionon line 88 of Fig. 2.

The invention is exemplified with a machine comprising a rigidlyconnected base III and standards II and I2 which constitute a supportingframe; a pair of frames I5 and it between the standards. Each framecarries a series of compressor-members 28 having tapered sides and slots29 having holes through which the tufting needles can be passed to drawthe ties through the mattress at the points where the tufts are to besecured on the mattress. Each compressor-member is adapted to compressthe mattress along a line for a complete longitudinal row of tufts. Eachframe I5, I6 comprises rigidly connected side-bars I8 and end-bars I9.The compressor-members 28, if desired, are adjustably connected to theframes I5, I6, respectively to adapt the machine for differenttransverse. spacings between the tufts, as set forth in Patent No.1,949,148 and the connections shown are substantially the same as insaid patent. The frames I5 and I6 and compressor-members are pivotallysustained to rotate vertically from a horizontal position for receivinga mattress to be tufted to a vertical position for convenience of theoperator in passing the tufting needles and ties horizontally throughthe compressed mattress. The frames and compressor-members thereon aremovable from each other to provide sufficient space between them topermit an untufted mattress to be easily placed on thecompressor-members of the frame It and the tufted mattress to be removedtherefrom, and also to compress the mattress at the places to be tuftedHeretofore in machines of this type, one of the frames was pivotallysupported for vertical rotation, and the other frame was supported byand movable to and from the other. the frames for vertical swinging, therelative movement between the frames for receiving and compressing themattress the distance between the axis of the pivot and one frame wasfixed and the other varied. In consequence, the swinging structure wasnot kept in balance for easy rotation. The invention provides a machinein which the frames are rotatable together and are equidistantly andsimultaneously adjusted to and from the axis on which the frames swing,so that the frames will counterbalance each other when they are inmattress-receiving and in mattresscompressing positions.

The rotatable structure comprises a longitudinally aligned pair ofparallel supporting members 26, 2! at the ends of the frames I5 and I6,respectively. Members 20, 2| are provided with coaxial trunnions 20, Hwhich are journalled in the standards II and I2. The frame I5 isslidably supported at each end on a pair of shafts 22 which arejournalled, and held against longitudinal movement in the members 20,2I. The frame I 6 is slidably supported, at each end, on shafts 22.Shafts 22 are provided with righthand screw-threads 24 which engage nuts25 which are fixed to frame I5 to shift said frame to or from members20, 2| and with left-hand screw-threads which engage nuts 26 which arefixed to frame I6. Rotation of shafts 22 in members 20 will, through thescrew-threads and nuts 24, shift the frames rectilinearly,simultaneously and equidistantly to or from the members 20, 2I and theaxis of trunnions 20 2W. All of the shafts 22 are connected forsimultaneous rotation by a sprocket-chain 3i and sprockets 32 fixed Inthis manner of supporting to the shafts 22, respectively. Sprockets 52are confined in brackets 33 which are fixed to and project below framel6, so as to move vertically with said frame and are splined to shafts22 to drive the sprockets in all positions of frame l6 on said shafts.Thrust-bearings 22 are provided between shafts 22 and frames 20, 2|.Pairs of links 70 are pivoted to frames l5, I6 and to one anotherinwardly of the shafts 22 to confine the mattress against contact withthe structures at the ends of frames |5, |6. Tubular sleeves enclose theupper and lower ends of shafts 22. Sprockets 12 are adjustably securedto frame l6 for tightening the sprocket-chain 3 I. One of the shafts 22is adapted to be driven by a bevelgear 34 which is fixed to said shaftwithin brackets 35, 36 which are fixed to, and form a part of,trunnion-member 26. A bevel-gear 40 meshes with gear 34 and is fixed toa horizontal shaft 4| which is journaled in bracket 36 and has anoutwardly extending end provided with a polygonal end which is adaptedto be driven from a coupling-sleeve 42 which is separable from shaft 4|to permit the frames l and i5 to be rotated on the transmission-axis.

Shaft 4| for driving the shafts 22 for shifting the compressor-membersand frames l5, l6 relatively to each other, is operable by power from anelectric motor 44 through mechanism which comprises a shaft 45 on whichcoupling-sleeve 42 is slidably mounted. Shaft 45 is journaled instandard I2 and is driven from a countershaft 46 by a sprocket wheel 41fixed on shaft 46, chain 48, and a sprocket 49 fixed to shaft 45. Shaft4| is coaxially disposed with respect to the trunnions and is adapted tomove into coaxial alignment with shaft 45 when the frames l5, W areswung into horizontal position. During the swinging of the frames shaft4| passes out of alignment with shaft 45. When shafts 45, 4| are inaxial alignment, coupling-sleeve 42 can be slidably shifted on shaft 45by means of a lever 42 to couple the shafts so that shaft 4| which iscarried by the trunnion-member 20 will be driven from shaft 45. Screwsfil are adapted to engage trunnions 25 2| to lock the frames l5, It inhorizontal or vertical positions. Pulleys 41 and 48 are loose on shaft46 and a pulley 46 is fixed to said shaft. A pulley 50 is fixed to theshaft of motor 44. A belt 5| around pulleys 41 50 is movable onto pulley49 to drive shaft 46 in one direction. A crossed belt 52 around pulleys48 56 is movable onto pulley 49 to drive shaft 46 in the reversedirection. A hand-lever 52 fulcrumed on a support 53 which is fixed tostandard I2 is adapted to shift belt 5| to drive pulley 49 A hand-lever54 fulcrumed on support 53 is adapted to shift belt 5| to drive pulley49 A latch-bar 55 is pivoted at 56 on lever 52 to swing vertically, isretractible by a spring 57, and has ratchet-notches 58 whereby it may belocked to a fixed bar 59 in two positions, one to hold lever 52 inposition to hold belt 5| on loose pulley 41 and the other to hold saidbelt on pulley 49*. A latch-bar 6|) is pivoted on lever 54 to swingvertically, is retractible by a spring 6|, and is provided with notches62 for engaging a fixed bar 63 to lock lever 54 in position to hold belt52 on pulle 48 or pulley 49 An abutment 64 is connected to a hanger-bar65 which is fixed to frame I5, and is adapted to automatically triplatch-bar 55 when frames l5, l6 have been separated the desired distanceto receive a mattress. An abutment 66 is connected to bar 65 and isadapted to trip latch-bar 66 When frames |5, |6 have been shifted intomattress-compressing position. These abutments are connected to bar 65by bolts and slots so either may be adjusted to trip th latch-bars atdifferent high or low limits for mattresses of different thicknesses.

The operation will be as follows: When the frames l5, I6 are locked inhorizontal position by screws 70 and spread apart, as shown in Fig. 5,the operator will place the mattress to be tufted on the lower frame l6.Shafts 4| and will then be coaxial. Lever 42 will then be operated toslide coupling-sleeve 42 partly onto shaft 4| and connect it to thepower-operated gearing. The operator will then shift lever 52 to movethe constantly driven belt 5| onto pulley 49, whereupon shaft 45 will bedriven from shaft 46 through sprockets 4T, 49 and chain 48. Latchbarwill lock lever 52 in its operative position. Shaft 4| will be driven bysleeve 42, and will drive bevel-gears 40, 34 and the screw-shaft 20 towhich gear 34 is fixed. The other shafts 20 will be simultaneouslydriven by chain 3| and sprockets 32. The screws on shaft 20 will shiftthe frames l5 and Hi, simultaneously and equidistantly toward each otherand the axis of trunnions 25 2|= When the compressor-members havecompressed the mattress to the desired point, abutment 64 will triplatch-bar 55 and spring 57 will retract hand-lever 52 to move belt 5|off pulley 45 This will automatically stop the movement of the frames|5, |6. Next the operator will shift lever 42 to uncouple sleeve 42 fromshaft 4|. Screws W will then be released b th operator. The frames I5and I6 and trunnion-members 20 2| with a compressed mattress can then beswung into vertical position for tufting. After the mattress has beentufted, the frames l5, l6 with the tufted mattress and members 26, 2|will be swung back to hori zontal position and coupling-sleeve 42 willbe slipped onto shaft 4|. Lever 54 will then be shifted to move belt 52onto pulley 49 to drive the pulley in the reverse direction. Thescrewshafts 22 will then be rotated to move the frames l5, I6 and thecompressor-members equidistantly from the trunnion axis so the tuftedmattress can be removed. When the frames are separated the desireddistance for this purpose, abutment 66 will strike and trip latch-bar torelease lever 54. Spring 6| will retract lever 54 to move belt 52 ontothe loose-pulley 43 and automatically stop the gearing for operatingscrew-shafts 22.

An important attribute of the machine is that the upper and lower framesand compressormembers are always shifted in opposite directionssimultaneously and equidistantly toward or away from the axis of thetrunnions 26 2 I and in consequence they counter-balance each other inall spacings and when spaced to compress mattresses of differentthicknesses.

The invention is not to be understood as retricted to the details setforth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I clatim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Paten is:

1. In a tufting machine, the combination of a pair of frames eachprovided with elements for compressing a mattress at the places to betufted, a pair of supports at the ends of the frames, coaxial trunnionsmounted on said supports for pivotally supporting the frames to swingvertically, a plurality of screws on each of the supports on which eachof the frames is supported for rectilinear movement relatively to theaxis of the trunnions, and mechanism for simultaneously operating allthe screws for shifting the frames equidistantly relatively to the axisof the trunnions for compressing or releasing a mattress so that theframes will be equidistantly spaced from said axis while they are incompressing position for mattresses of different thicknesses.

2. In a tufting machine the combination of a pair of end-supportspivotally supported to swing vertically on a substantially horizontalaxis, a pair of substantially parallel frames adapted to support anentire mattress between the supports and provided with elements forcompressing the mattress for tufting, devices at the ends of the frames,respectively, between the supports and the frames for supporting theframes for rotation with the supports and for rectilinear movement toand from the axis of said supports, and means for simultaneouslyoperating said devices to equidistantly shift said frames in parallelismand to and from the axis so that the frames will remain parallel and beequidistantly spaced from said axis while mattresses of differentthicknesses are compressed between them.

3. In a tufting machine the combination of a pair of end-supportspivotally supported to swing vertically on a substantially horizontalaxis, a pair of substantially parallel frames adapted to support anentire mattress between the supports and provided with elements forcompressing the mattress for tufting, a plurality of devices at the endsof the frames, respectively, between the supports and the frames forsupporting the frames for rotation with the supports and for rectilinearmovement to and from the axis of said supports, and means forsimultaneously operating said devices to equidistantly shift said framesin parallelism and to and from the axis, so that the frames will remainparallel and be equidistantly spaced from said axis while mattresses ofdifferent thicknesses are compressed between them.

4. In a tufting machine the combination of a pair of end-supportspivotally supported to swing vertically on a substantially horizontalaxis, a pair of substantially parallel frames adapted to support anentire mattress between the supports and provided with elements forcompressing the mattress for tufting, devices comprising screws at theends of the frames, respectively, between the supports and the framesfor supporting the frames for rotation with the supports and forrectilinear movement to and from the axis of said supports, and meansfor simultaneously operating said screws to equidistantly shift saidframes in parallelism and to and from the axis so that the frames willremain parallel and be equidistantly spaced from said axis whilemattresses of different thicknesses are compressed between them.

5. In a tufting machine the combination of a pair of end-supportspivotally supported to swing vertically on a substantially horizontalaxis, a pair of substantially parallel frames adapted to support anentire mattress between the supports and provided with elements forcompressing the mattress for tufting, devices at the ends of the frames,respectively, between the supports and the frames for supporting theframes for rotation with the supports and for rectilinear movement toand from said axis, power operable mechanism for simultaneouslyoperating said devices to equidistantly shift said frames in parallelismand to and from the axis so that the frames will remain parallel and beequidistantly spaced from said axis while mattresses of differentthicknesses are compressed between them, and means for automaticallystopping said mechanism to stop the frames at different equidistantpredetermined positions from the axis in the spreading and closingmovements of the frames.

6. In a tufting machine the combination of a pair of end-supportspivotally supported to swing vertically on a substantially horizontalaxis, a pair of substantially parallel frames adapted to support anentire mattress between the supports and provided with elements forcompressing the mattress for tufting, screws at the ends of the frames,respectively, between the supports and the frames for supporting theframes for rotation with the supports and for rectilinear movement toand from said axis, power operable mechanism for simultaneously rotatingsaid screws to equidistantly shift said frames in parallelism and to andfrom the axis so that the frames will remain parallel and beequidistantly spaced from said axis while mattresses of differentthicknesses are compressed between them, and means for automaticallystopping said mechanism to stop both frames at different equidistantpredetermined positions from the axis in the spreading and closingmovements of the frames.

'7. A mattress tufting machine comprising a pair of mattress compressingframes, means at opposite ends of the frames spacing and supporting saidframes in opposed substantially parallel relationship comprisingparallel screws with oppositely directed threads at their opposite endsthreadedly connecting with the frames at opposite ends of said frameswhereby the frames will move toward and away from each other uponsimultaneously rotating said screws, driving means positioned in a planedisposed between said frames for simultaneously rotating said screwsupon'actuation of said driving means to cause the frames tosimultaneously move toward and away from each other, and meansrevolvably supporting said frames at their opposite ends forrevolvingthe frames in a path of travel common to both frames at any degree ofspacing of the frames and means for actuating said driving means.

8. A mattress tufting machine comprising a pair of spaced, opposed,substantially parallel frames adapted to receive a mattresstherebetween, means at opposite ends of the frames connecting betweensaid ends and supporting said frames for simultaneous movement thereoftoward and away from each other, cooperatively connected driving anddriven means connected with said frames and positioned in a planedisposed between said frames for causing said movement upon actuation ofsaid driving means, means for actuating said driving means, meansproviding a supporting axis for the frames at opposite sides of whichthe frames are substantially equidistantly related at any position ofthe frames during said movement so that the weight of one frame willcounterbalance the weight of the other frame to enable the frames to besustained in an inclined position upon revolving about said axis, meanrevolvably mounting said frames for revolving about said axis.

, JOSEPH W. DROLL.

